Drico: It might be last Six Nations

31 January 2013 02:00 PM

FORMER Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has hinted just 48 hours prior to the Six Nations campaign that this could be his last hurrah for his country, having announced his arrival on the international scene with a hat-trick in Paris 13 years ago.

O'Driscoll, whose contract with the IRFU expires next summer and has not yet been renewed, has publicly expressed his disappointment at being replaced as Irish captain and he could now be ready to hang up his boots this summer after the Lions tour to Australia.

O'Driscoll, who recently turned 34, is Ireland's record caps holder (120) and try scorer (45), but he has previously only suggested that he would not extend his career to the next World Cup, to be held in 2015.

He is still anxious to secure an extension to his IRFU contract, but he has now revealed for the first time that he may be willing to complement fast-forwarding his retirement date.

"There's every chance (it could be my last Six Nations)," he said. "I haven't really allowed myself to think about it. I am contracted until the summer. I'll see that out and then I'll see how the body feels. But there's a strong possibility that this could be the last."